Mr. Duangdej Yuaikwarmdee, Deputy Managing Director of Reed Tradex Co., Ltd. said that foreign direct investment (FDI) is likely to grow strongly in 2014, outpacing overall growth and resulting in a “two-speed” economy. “International manufacturers and investors are attracted to Vietnam’s low-cost labor pool and large domestic market and are showing sustained investment interest in the country, despite structural challenges to the economy. The South Korean company, Samsung, signed a contract to build its second factory ($2 billion), which will make 120 million devices a year, doubling the current capacity in Vietnam. Other mobile phone companies such as LG Electronics Inc. and Nokia Corporation are also investing. Nokia opened its first factory (300-million USD) in Vietnam which is expected to create 10,000 jobs and produce 45 million handsets per quarter. Printer and photocopier maker, Fuji Xerox, opened a 90.2-million USD factory in northern Vietnam, the Japanese company's first facility in the Southeast Asian country as it aims to meet increasing global demand. Electronics exports, especially mobile phones, have significantly increased in importance over the past few years as they now make up 24.5 percent of total exports.

The new target to double the number of Vietnam's electronic exports by 2017 to $40billion is double. However, to increase the number of local electronic companies for exporting overseas, especially under Vietnamese brand names, will be quite a challenge.  More efforts must be placed in: bettering the quality, strategies to better advertise products, establish after sales services and better distribution network. Some of Vietnam's leading electronic brands, they were put under competitive pressure now as foreign products dominate the market and the electronic parts are more expensive for them to stay competitive. The real growth in this sector seems to be more open for small to medium companies who are performing services or supplying parts to the bigger. At the present it’s a good sign and good opportunities for electronics industry in Vietnam to investment and enhances business to higher level of success.

NEPCON Vietnam 2014, Vietnam’s only Exhibition on SMT & Testing Technologies, Equipment, and Supporting Industries for Electronics Manufacturing, will be an effective business-generating tool for industrialists and manufacturers. A quality international exhibition, 200 leading brands from 25 countries will be presenting cutting-edge innovations for over 8,000 industrialists to heighten production efficiency and competitiveness. The participants will meet business delegates from many countries and get great chances to expand their businesses to overseas markets

“We believe that NEPCON Vietnam 2014 will not only answer to their requirements but will also introduce new concepts, new trends, and new ideas, which will be complemented by new technologies and experts who can help them move forward and strengthen Vietnamese electronics supporting industry in the process. In addition to the technological experiences the visitors will gain from the exhibits, they will also benefit from new knowledge and networking opportunities in the shows’ concurrent activities such as sessions of Technology Presentations, “Business Matchmaking” a service that will match local subcontractors with overseas manufacturers for possible business partnership, and “Agent Wanted” which will help global brand providers find local agents. After the event, the level of electronics manufacturing industry should be up and there should be more electronics parts and components manufactured inside the country rather than importing them.” concluded Duangdej.